British website: The chances of the development route are superior to the Indian corridor

POSTED ON[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] BY [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

[size=52]British website: The chances of the development route are superior to the Indian corridor[/size]

[size=45]The British “Middle East Eye” website considered that the “India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC)” project, which is supported by the United States and the European Union, still needs time before it is realized.[/size]
[size=45]The British report explained that Turkey, in return, supports the “development path” project that brings it together with Iraq, and which is achievable, according to its point of view, despite the challenges and obstacles facing it, stressing that Ankara can benefit from its strong relations with Erbil in order to make the project a success.[/size]
[size=45]The report explained that the Indian corridor project, which was announced during the G20 summit in New Delhi, without the participation of Russia and China, and that its aim is to be an alternative to the Chinese “Belt and Road Initiative.”[/size]
[size=45]However, the report pointed out that the proposed project, which US President Joe Biden described as “historic,” is still in the stage of a political declaration of intent as it is supported by the European Union and the United States, but it will not be achieved in the near term.[/size]
[size=45]The report stated that the Indian corridor project presents the vision of a connection between India, the Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Israel, which necessitates the presence of a wide range of agreements, as, for example, China has cooperation with about 140 countries through the “Belt and Road Initiative.”[/size]
[size=45]After the report indicated that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan opposes the idea of ​​the Indian line currently being proposed, considering that it cannot be achieved without Turkey, whose importance he stresses as a trade base, the report said that Turkey has achieved progress with Iraq in the talks on the “Development Road Project” initiative. It is a railway and highway line that will connect the large port of Al-Faw in Basra to the southern Turkish border. It is a project that Iraqi Prime Minister Muhammad Shia Al-Sudani describes as “the best and least expensive option” to link the Middle East to Europe, while Erdogan says it represents a priority for Turkey, as it Negotiations on it are scheduled to be concluded within the next two months, and the first phase of the project will be completed by 2028.[/size]
[size=45]According to the British report, once the Grand Al-Faw Port is completed, it will become among the largest ports in the Middle East, with an area of ​​54 square kilometers and an area capable of accommodating the largest cargo ships.[/size]
[size=45]He pointed out that the Guinness Book of World Records recognized the Great Faw breakwater as the longest in the world, with a length of about 14.5 kilometers.[/size]
[size=45]The report continued that the “development road” could benefit from the fact that there is a railway line extending south of Mosul, even though it is old, while renovation work is currently taking place on some railway lines and stations in Iraq.[/size]
[size=45]In addition, the report pointed out that Erdogan recently said that Qatar and the UAE support this project, and that the Gulf states, for their part, are planning to establish a railway line between them, and if the two initiatives are combined, the transportation process to Europe will become easier.[/size]
[size=45]However, the report indicated that the main challenges facing the “path to development” include the phenomenon of political instability, the complexities associated with state institutions, and security issues in Iraq, adding that although the security situation has improved over the past years, the presence of militias still poses a threat, This is evident in the recent clashes between Iranian-backed fighters and Kurdish demonstrators in Kirkuk.[/size]
[size=45]At the same time, the report referred to the activities of the Kurdistan Workers' Party in northern Iraq, which it described as posing a threat, as Turkey launched air strikes against the group in Iraq.[/size]
[size=45]He continued, saying that what complicates matters is the continuing crisis of governance and power-sharing in Iraq, explaining that the presence of groups working on behalf of foreign powers, and linked to the Iraqi government, creates obstacles.[/size]
[size=45]In addition, the report stated that there has not yet been a complete reconciliation between Erbil and Baghdad, in light of unresolved issues related to the budget and sharing of oil revenues.[/size]
[size=45]However, the report considered that Turkey's strong relations with Erbil could help ensure that these issues do not affect the “Development Road” project.[/size]
[size=45]The report added that Erdogan, at the same time, is trying to place the project in a regional context, instead of portraying it as just a bilateral initiative between Turkey and Iraq.[/size]
[size=45]The report concluded by saying that the “development road” will not only link the Middle East to Europe via Turkey, as it will also link Turkey to the Gulf states, which is a Turkish vision that is consistent in this regard with the policy of pluralism that the Gulf states have recently developed, at a time when Turkey is working to rebuild... Relations with the UAE and Saudi Arabia after a period of tension.[/size]
[size=45]The report concluded by saying that while the “India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC)” is still just a theoretical idea, the “development path” is actively taking shape, which gives the project a good chance of success.[/size]
[size=45][You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]